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### Question: What to expect if I have Thoracentesis  (Outlook/Prognosis)?
### Response: Normal Results
Normally the pleural cavity contains only a very small amount of fluid.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Testing the fluid will help your health care provider determine the cause of pleural effusion. Possible causes include:
Cancer Cirrhosis Heart failure Infection Inflammation Malnutrition Kidney disease
If your health care provider suspects that you have an infection, a culture of the fluid may be done to test for bacteria.